Rockable exercise apparatus
An exercise device includes a substantially planar upper surface having a first extent and a second extent and a support structure that supports and spaces the upper surface from the floor. The support structure has a curve with a vertex located between the first extent and the second extent and a support-structure extent that extends beyond the second upper-surface extent in a direction away from the first upper-surface extent.
The present invention relates generally to an exercise apparatus, and more particularly relates to an exercise apparatus with a curved bottom surface that provides instantly selectable workout resistances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMuch research has been performed on exercise, its various techniques, frequencies, intensities thereof, and the corresponding benefits to the human body. This research has concluded that exercise is an undeniably valuable endeavor for the vast majority of the population. In fact, every day, millions of Americans participate in some sort of physical activity solely for the health benefits they receive from such an activity. For others, exercise comes as a happy side effect of normal activities they perform.
One of the most popular forms of exercise is commonly referred to as “working out,” which is a type of training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. When one works out, they typically use the force of gravity by performing movements that oppose gravity. For instance, lifting weights is a direct opposition to the force of gravity being naturally placed on the weights and the result is an opposing resistance placed onto the muscles that are being used to perform the lifting activity. Similarly, pushing one's body (a weight) against the force of gravity places that resistance directly onto the muscles opposing the force. As an example, push-ups, one of the seven primary callisthenic exercises, is a common strength training exercise performed in a prone position, lying horizontal and face down, and using the arms to raise and lower the body. The contact of the person's toes with the ground forms the pivot of this exercise. Push-ups develop the pectoral muscles and triceps, with ancillary benefits to the deltoids, serratus anterior, coracobrachialis, and the midsection as a whole.
A way of making push-ups less difficult is referred to as a knee push-up. Instead of using the toes as the pivot contact point with the ground, the person places his/her knees on the floor and pivots the body at the knees. For some, this variation still requires too much effort and, as a result, those individuals avoid or fail to perform push-ups altogether. For others, a compromise between the more difficult standard push-ups and the easier knee push-ups is desired.
Over the years, a variety of specialized equipment has been developed to target specific muscle groups and types of movement. Several devices have attempted to target the same pectoral muscles used to perform push-ups. However, each of these devices requires multiple device parts, such as a bench and separate weights, bars, etc. The devices also include heavy apparatuses that are difficult to move and install, and those with variable weights bear a considerable expense.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBriefly, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed is an exercise device that includes a substantially planar upper surface having a first end and a second end and a support structure that supports and spaces the upper surface from the floor. The support structure has a curve with a vertex located between the first end and the second end and a support-structure end that extends beyond the second upper-surface end in a direction away from the first upper-surface end.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the upper surface includes a first portion that including the first end and a second portion that includes the second end, where the second portion is pivotally coupled to the first portion at a pivot point.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, a support bar has a first end rotatably attached to the support structure and a second end attachable to any of a plurality of locations along a back side of the second portion of the upper surface, thereby providing a plurality of second portion elevation angles.
In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, the vertex is located between a first plane and a second plane, the first plane passing through the first end of the upper surface, the second plane passing through the pivot point, and the first and second planes being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first portion of the upper surface.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the support structure curve and end together form a general “S” shape when viewed from a side thereof.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a first arm having a first end and a second end and is coupled to a first side of the support structure at the first end thereof. A second arm has a first end and a second end and is coupled to a second side of the support structure at the first end thereof. A resistance device is physically coupled to the support structure, a first cable is physically coupled to the resistance device and slidably engaged at the second end of the first arm and a second cable is physically coupled to the resistance device and slidably engaged at the second end of the second arm.
In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a first pivot point at a junction between the first end of the first arm and the first side of the support structure and a second pivot point at a junction between the first end of the second arm and the second side of the support structure.
In accordance with a further feature, the present invention includes a first pulley at the first pivot point and a second pulley at the second pivot point, wherein the first pulley rotationally engages the first cable and the second pulley rotationally engages the second cable.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention the resistance device provides a selectable tension strength.
In accordance with one more feature, the present invention includes a leg-securing structure at the first end of the upper surface, the leg-securing structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends being collinear and extending in a plane parallel to a plane of the first upper surface. The leg-securing structure can include a detachable support coupled to the first end of the upper surface and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first upper surface. The leg-securing structure can also include an ankle-securing structure coupled to the support, the ankle-securing structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends being collinear and extending in a plane parallel to a plane of the first upper surface.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a rockable exercise apparatus, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result).
The present invention provides a novel rockable exercise apparatus that allows instant adjustment to resistive loads without the need for provision of or movement of device components. The invention can be provided in many embodiments, allowing complexity to span from a unitary device with no moving parts to a complex assembly with adjustable features that provide a plurality of exercises and exercise settings.
Referring now to
Although the upper surface 102 is described herein as being substantially “planar,” that term, as used herein, is not intended to indicate an entire lack of curvature or surface features. For example, in at least one embodiment, the upper surface 102 is padded for comfort and has a slight curvature in all directions from a centerline extending along the upper surface 102. Comfort is advantageous because one use of the device, as shown in
In both
Referring once again back to
Referring now to
The particular support structure 104, depicted in the figures of the instant application, includes a pair of similarly-shaped adjacent bars 508, 510 that are coupled to each other at the vertex 112 by an element 512 and one or more additional spacing bars 514. A support bar 516 has a first end 518 rotatably attached to the support structure 104 at one of the spacing bars 514 and a second end 520 (not shown in this view) attachable to any of a plurality of locations along a back side of the second portion 504 of the upper surface 102, thereby providing a plurality of supported elevation angles for the second portion 504 of the upper surface 102.
Referring first to
Referring back to
The cables 618, 620 each have a handle 626, 628, respectively, attached at an end thereof. The handles 626, 628 can be held by a user, as shown in
For ease of storage and transportation, the present invention, according to one embodiment, shown in
Similarly, a second set of pulleys 1006, 1008 are shown in
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a raising and lowering feature is provided. The raising and lower feature can be, for instance, a shock-type device that features a spring force to push the device upward and can be compressed once the user applies his or her weight onto the upper surface 102 of the device 100. The raising and lowering feature would reduce the distance that a user would have to lower themselves before making contact with the upper surface 102, making it somewhat easier to mount the device. If the raising and lower feature provided a positive lifting force, it would be easier for the user to remove themselves from the device as well, because they would be somewhat assisted in their transition from the sitting or laying position to the standing position. There are many ways to achieve the raising and lower feature and the present invention is in no way limited to the described shock-type embodiment. Any known or later developed method of causing the entire device 100, just the upper surface 102, or any portion of the device 100 to increase its distance from the floor is within the scope of the invention.
In a further embodiment, the upper surface 102 is slidable in relation to the lower support structure 104. Specifically, the entire upper surface 102 can slide in one or both directions from the vertex 112. This sliding feature can easily shift the user's weight in relation to the vertex 112, which will result in a corresponding change in the difficulty of exercises performed on the machine. In other embodiments, one or both of the two portions 106, 108 of the upper surface 102 can be slid independently in relation to the lower support structure 104. This is advantageous, for instance, in the event a taller user wishes to perform exercises with the device and desires the supporting surface are to extend beyond the configuration shown in
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to use on a horizontal floor surface. In some embodiments, the invention can be used against a vertical wall or on even on an inclined surface. In addition, elements can be added that prevent the device from pivoting on the vertex 112. These elements include kickstand type linear elements that are attached to the lower support structure 104 and can be made to extend toward the surface upon which the device is supported. Other embodiments that achieve stability can be used as well.
An exercise apparatus has been disclosed that features a curved surface on a lower portion thereof, the curved surface allowing the apparatus to rock back and forth and provides a large range of exercises in a single unitary device. Other features of the invention have also been disclosed that add further versatility to the apparatus but are not necessary and are not intended to be limited to the particular details disclosed herein.
Claims
1. An exercise device for supporting the weight of a human torso comprising: a substantially planar upper surface having a first end and a second end; and a support structure fixedly coupled to the upper surface and supporting and spacing the upper surface from a floor, the support structure having: a curve with a vertex located at a fixed position between the first end and the second end; and a support-structure portion extending beyond the second end in a direction away from the first end, wherein the first end of the upper surface rests directly on a first end of the curve and the second end of the upper surface rests directly on a second end of the curve.
2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface comprises: wherein the first end and the second end pivot with respect to each other.
- a first portion including the first end; and
- a second portion including the second end and pivotally coupled to the first portion at a pivot point,
3. The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the second, portion has a bottom side, and further comprising:
- a support bar having a first end rotatably attached to the support structure and a second end removably attachable to any of a plurality of locations along the bottom side, thereby providing a plurality of second portion elevation angles.
4. The exercise device according to claim 3, wherein:
- the vertex is located between a first plane and a second plane, the first plane passing through the first extent of the upper surface, the second plane passing through the pivot point, and the first and second planes being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first portion of the upper surface.
5. The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the first portion of the upper surface defines an upper-surface plane and further comprising:
- a leg-securing structure coupled to the first portion of the upper surface, the leg-securing structure having a first leg extent and a second leg extent opposite the first leg extent, the first and second leg extents being collinear and extending in a plane parallel to the upper-surface plane.
6. The leg-securing structure according to claim 5, further comprising:
- a detachable support coupled to the first portion of the upper surface and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper-surface plane.
7. The leg-securing structure according to claim 6, further comprising:
- an ankle-securing structure coupled to the first portion of the upper surface, the ankle-securing structure having a first extent and a second extent opposite the first extent, the first and second extents being collinear and extending in a plane parallel to of the upper-surface plane.
8. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein:
- the support structure curve and support-structure portion extent together form a general “S” shape when viewed from a side thereof.
9. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the support structure has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and further comprising:
- a first arm having a first end coupled to the first side and a second end;
- a second arm having a first end coupled to the second side and a second end;
- a resistance device physically coupled to the support structure;
- a first cable physically coupled to the resistance device and slidably engaged at the second end of the first arm; and
- a second cable physically coupled to the resistance device and slidably engaged at the second end of the second arm.
10. The exercise device according to claim 9, further comprising:
- a first pivot point between the.first end of the first arm and the first side of the support structure; and
- a second pivot point between the first end of the second arm and the second side of the support structure.
11. The exercise device according to claim 10, further comprising: wherein the first pulley rotationally engages the first cable and the second pulley rotationally engages the second cable.
- a first pulley at the first pivot point; and
- a second pulley at the second pivot point,
12. The exercise device according to claim 11, wherein:
- the resistance device provides a selectable tension strength.
13. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein:
- the curve has a thickness so that the vertex has at least two points separated by a distance and a first line intersecting the at least two points is parallel to the upper surface and perpendicular to a second line intersecting the first end and second end of the upper surface.
14. An exercise device comprising:
- a padded substantially planar upper support surface being at least four feet in length, having a first portion including the first end, and having a second portion that includes the second end and is pivotally coupled to the first portion at a pivot point; and
- a lower support structure:
- coupled to the upper support surface;
- having a length greater than a length of the upper support surface; and having a raised area located below and directed away from the upper support surface, thereby providing a rockable pivot point.
15. The exercise device according to claim 14, wherein: the upper surface includes a first end and a second end; and
- the raised area of the lower support structure is located between the first end and the second end.
16. The exercise device according to claim 14, wherein:
- the lower support structure includes a curve shape; and
- the raised area of the lower support structure is a vertex of the curve shape.
17. An exercised device comprising:
- an entirely planar upper surface having a first end, a second end, an underside, a first portion including the first end, and a second portion including the second end and pivotally coupled to the first portion at a pivot point; and a lower supporting frame: having a first curved frame portion with a shape and a length, the first curved frame portion coupled to the underside of the planar upper surface, the length exceeding a distance between the first and second ends of the planar upper surface, and the shape having an apex directed away from the underside of the planar upper surface; and having a second curved frame portion with the shape coupled to the underside of the planar upper surface and to the first curved frame portion and spaced away from the first curved frame portion by a distance.
18. The exercise device according to claim 17, wherein:
- the length of the first curved frame portion includes an extension that extends beyond the second end of the planar upper surface in a direction away from the first end.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 28, 2009
Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
Patent Publication Number: 20110098163
Inventor: Eric Radzwill (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Primary Examiner: Lori Baker
Attorney: The Concept Law Group, P.A.
Application Number: 12/607,875
International Classification: A63B 26/00 (20060101);